The longest and most intensive study of adult development was done at Harvard.  A  large sample of both college educated and poor, disadvantaged boys was followed annually for 75 years.  Yearly physical and psychological testing shows that the best predictor at age 50 of both long-term life satisfaction and good body and brain health is close, warm relationships.
This TED talk reports that: 1] good social connections are strongly protective of long-term mind and body health and satisfaction, even during physical pain, 2] daily living in strong conflict is dangerous to mind and body, and 3] loneliness kills.
To see/hear his short talk, Â Click on this TED picture, then Click the arrow button that appears.
